Good Night, and Good Luck.

Once again, I am including movies I see in theater and watch on DVD, so older ones will be mixed in with brand new ones. It may amaze you that as a Journalism student and as a movie buff, I had yet to see Good Night, and Good Luck until very recently. Indeed, I should have seen it much earlier, because it not only shows the power film is capable of, but the power that journalism done right is capable of as well.

Edward R. Murrow was the father of American radio and television journalism. He brought reporting to a new level during World War II, when he would actually get right near the action, and once went along on a plane during a paratrooper drop. He then took the power of journalism to a new level when he took a stand against Senator Joseph McCarthy, who was spreading the Red Scare of the 1950s by claiming there were communists in the United States government, and smeared the reputations of several innocent people. Murrow decided to put his reputation and career at stake in an attempt to put a stop to one of the most powerful men in the country at that time. The film Good Night, and Good Luck chronicles Murrow's battle against McCarthy and the Red Scare.

The film opens and closes with Murrow's speech on the state of television, which he felt was in danger of becoming an instrument which was used solely for entertainment, and not for education. This resonates so much today, as television is dominated by entertainment, and has very little news or educational content in general. News programs themselves often focus on entertainment as opposed to hard news. This is why the timing of this film, which came out in 2005, was so important. The importance of journalism needs to be realized now more than ever, with newspapers as well as television and radio news programs falling by the wayside.

George Clooney obviously felt very strongly about the subject, as he co-wrote, directed, and played a major role in the film. Clooney aims to be as faithful to the true story as possible, and has helped ensure Murrow's legacy and message live on. After studying Murrow myself extensively in college, it is my opinion that the film is extremely accurate. Not a single moment seems exaggerated or unrealistic.

One of the film's strongest points is its representation of the pressures the journalists face. The scenes where the reporters and producers discuss the content and approach to the show, the ethics involved and the risks to be taken are exceptional. These were men and women who did something because they believed it was the right thing to do, and put everything on the line to do so. The intensity on the set of the show is palpable, and having been on the set of a news show myself, I can say that it is exactly what it's like, but to a greater degree of intensity. There is always a lot at stake when doing a news broadcast, but it is impossible to have more at stake than the people at CBS had when going after McCarthy.

The cast is incredible from top to bottom. David Strathairn, Clooney, Frank Langella, Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson and Jeff Daniels all effectively capture the spirit of the people they are portraying. Strathairn earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination for his role as Murrow. Murrow was a man who always played it cool when on air even though off the set he had doubts, who felt very strongly about his work and did whatever it took to give the American people the truth. He had a very distinctive style when he was reporting, which Strathairn captures flawlessly. As much conviction as Murrow brought into his work, Strathairn brings that level of conviction to the role.

Clooney received Oscar nominations for his writing and directing. His attention to detail and meticulous recreation of the time, place and situations the characters face is masterful. Throughout the film there are news clips from the time period, which do not feel the least bit out of place. If the portrayal of the characters and situation had not been well done, it would have been impossible for the actual news clips to fit in so seamlessly and add to the power of the story.

Good Night, and Good Luck is a very important film. Journalists today should strive to be more like Murrow, and the people of America should strive to want more from television than just mindless entertainment. The film is an inspiration of all that journalism can be. It is not just there to entertain, it is there to deliver truth and encourage justice. It is there to help keep our leadership in check, and to fight on the side of the people. Journalism has strayed away from this role, and the message of this film should be taken to heart. This film practices what it preaches, because while it is indeed entertaining, it tells a story that needs to be told, one that enlightens us and inspires us.

Rating: 9.5/10